KEYNOTE: Hon. Barbara Edmonds, Spokesperson for Finance and Economy, Savings and Investment

Hon Barbara Edmonds is the Member of Parliament for Mana and the Labour Party’s Finance Spokesperson. First elected to Parliament in 2020, she has served as Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Pacific Peoples, as well as Associate Minister for Health, Housing and Cyclone Recovery. Prior to entering Cabinet, Barbara was Associate Whip for the Labour Caucus and Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. Before Parliament, Barbara worked as a senior advisor to Ministers across successive governments and was a key contributor to legislative reforms following the March 15 terror attacks. She also played a significant role in the Government’s tax, social policy, small business and COVID-19 economic response. Her earlier career included policy and legal roles at Inland Revenue and work in the insurance sector. Barbara is driven by Labour values and a commitment to making Aotearoa a better place for children and families.